CHLORINATION ST.

Chlorination St.  premiered to two full houses at the 4th annual Fringe in the ‘Stings festival (10 – 12 October).  It then went on to a full house at The Little Theatre in Napier, and the Havelock North Function Centre.  Written and performed by Ken Keys, a local theatrical identity, and produced and directed by Pauline Ellen Hayes, of Cookplace Productions, the show is a biting political satire on the subject of corporate responsibility. And water.  

The one-man show takes its theme from the e-coli outbreak in the Hastings/Havelock North water supply three years ago, the consequence of which is still being experienced today in the form of the controversial chlorination of the water supply.

The Great Havelock North Water Contamination Crisis of 2016 sounds a bit like a joke.  It was anything but:  5,500 people got sick, there were 45 hospitalisations, 4 (official) deaths and the cost to local agencies was $4 million.   Many people who fell ill during the outbreak still suffer the effects today with some developing autoimmune disease, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and other ailments.  Since the e-coli outbreak the Hastings District Council started chlorinating the water supply which has created an ongoing debate about chlorination of our pure artesian water.

The inquiry into the Havelock North campylobacter outbreak seemingly failed to find anyone in particular to blame despite finding warnings to the council were apparently ignored, the absence of action after previous pollution episodes, the lack of a maintenance schedule and the nonexistence of a council emergency response strategy.  The CEO in charge at the time never took full responsibility, was awarded a 3% pay rise, and eventually left for Australia, to manage another city council elsewhere.   

Billie Gillespie is the central protagonist of this local “soap opera” and he will put you right on everything you need to know.  “Chlorination St.” plays at The Common Room, Friday 11th October, 6.30pm and Saturday 12th at 8.30pm.  Tickets are available now at Eventfinda.

It also plays at The Little Theatre, Napier, on Thursday 17th October at 7.30pm and the Havelock North Function Centre, Sunday 20th October at 6.00pm.  Cash door sales only. Click here for a link to an article in the HBToday.

This production is kindly supported by Napier Creative Communities and Hastings Creative Communities. Click here for a link to The Hook review.

SHAKUNTALA!

MARCH 9, 2019

one showcase performance only

aN INDo/WESTERN FUSION OF DANCE & DRAMA

NAPIER MUNICIPA L THEATRE

Sell out

(A commissioned work in collaboration with choreographer and principal dancer Deepthi Krishna (Krishni Productions) as part of the fourth annual M.A.D.E (Music and Dance Event ) for a Cause- the annual showcase of traditional Indian dance and culture.) Written and produced by Pauline Ellen Hayes. Directed by Ken Keys. Music by Anton Wuts.

Shakuntala! is the story of the titular mythical heroine from world’s oldest epic poem, the Mahabharata. The

production is an adaptation of a popular Indian story; the story of a young maiden who falls

in love, is maligned and abandoned, but eventually reunited with her love. It is

both an Indian classic and a Kiwi comedy of manners. The ancient story is interpreted by

three young Kiwi women: Tui, a radical activist and cynic, and her friends, Priya and Anu,

two conservative Indian-born Kiwis, as they navigate their own journey through the mire of

cultural and sexual politics. A tale of love found, love lost and the fulfilment of destiny.

Wellington Fringe Festival 2011

The Hooligan & The Lady

Sell out season, Bats Theatre 

24 - 27 February 2011